Economic relations should accompany excellent political relations between Turkey and Macedonia. We expect the trade exchange, which currently stands at about US$450 million, to reach US$1 billion in the near future, said Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski at a joint press conference on Tuesday.

"The fact that Macedonia is 8th in Turkey's imports and 13th in exports is unacceptable. I do not even accept second, let alone below the top ten, taking into consideration the excellent political relations between the two countries, which must be reflected through appropriate trade exchange. Economy ministers will exchange opinions and focus on the key opportunities for increase of cooperation, including agriculture exports to Turkey. We are in continual communication regarding investments in free industrial zones", said Davutoglu.

According to him, Macedonia's openness for investments and benefits it offers, accompanied by the free trade agreement, can put Turkey among the top five and later among the top two countries regarding the trade exchange volume, which is expected to reach US$450 this year. Davutoglu also expects a rise in Turkish investments, which currently amount to US$1,5 billion.

PM Gruevski said it is possible to achieve the US$1 billion target, but it does not depend solely on the governments, but also businessmen.

"I raised the issue of signing a free trade agreement with Turkey back in 1999, when I served as minister of trade. The agreement was signed within a year. Bilateral exchange amounted to US$50 million at that time, increasing almost ten-fold in the meantime. Excellent political relations between the two countries have helped, encouraging businessmen to invest. In addition, we are investing efforts into providing information to investors over the opportunities for doing business in Macedonia. I have visited many Turkish cities on a couple of occasions and have met with numerous business delegations from Turkey. Since the number of tourists has significantly increased, there are excellent prerequisites for further development of economic relations, including rise in exports from the Republic of Macedonia", stressed Gruevski.

Davutoglu said Turkey remains Macedonia's firm supporter to the country's NATO membership.

"We want to see Macedonia as Alliance member as soon as possible. No one supports Macedonia on this path more than Turkey. Balkan states should stand under the NATO umbrella. I began my address at the Chicago Summit by saying I came from Macedonia. Turkey's strong support to Macedonia will resume", said the Turkish PM.

He said meetings between the country's top officials should be held at least once a year, underlining the cultural and historic ties between the two nations.

Davutoglu heads the delegation also including a Deputy PM and ministers of foreign affairs, economy and health.

On Monday, Davutoglu met with NGO representatives and parties of the Turkish community in Macedonia. Today he met with Turkish businessmen investing in Macedonia, while a meeting with President Gjorge Ivanov and an address before Macedonian diplomats are scheduled later in the day.